Because of the way Apple designed its operating system, this app does not work like the desktop versions of our software. It cannot run in the background, monitoring your Internet activity and filtering content generated through other browsers and apps. Only Internet activity logged through the Covenant Eyes browser is filtered and recorded in the Accountability Report.

Because the Covenant Eyes browser app only monitors pages visited through the app, we highly recommend turning off Safari.

Installing the Browser App

The Covenant Eyes browser app is available as “Covenant Eyes” on the App Store. In order to use this app, you must have a Covenant Eyes username with Internet Accountability and/or Filtering. Sign up today!

Once you have installed the app, simply sign in using your username and password. You will remain signed in under this account. If you need to switch users, you may do so through the “Settings” app.

7 Easy Steps to Setting Restrictions

The Covenant Eyes browser app is designed to work hand-in-hand with your device’s built-in restrictions. Because Covenant Eyes only monitors and blocks web pages visited through this browser app, you should adjust your device’s settings and block access to certain apps.

Launch the “Settings” app and then select the icon labeled “General.”

Under the Restrictions menu, you may disable certain apps and content.

You will be asked for a four-digit passcode. We recommend having the person who holds you accountable set this passcode for you.

Next, turn off Safari, AirDrop, and other apps that might allow objectionable material. Toggle “Installing Apps” to “Off” as well. Note that many apps have built-in browsers used for ads, contact, or comments, which Covenant Eyes does not monitor.

Many apps, such as the YouTube app, cannot be disabled as in step 4. You will need to uninstall the app (if it is already installed), then disable “Installing Apps” to prevent reinstallation.

Under “Allowed Content,” toggle off the ability to listen to explicit music and podcasts, and disallow movies and TV shows at inappropriate levels (e.g. NC-17 for movies and TV-MA for TV shows).

DO NOT disable apps rated 17+. Because Covenant Eyes offers Internet access that can be unfiltered, Apple rates it 17+. By disabling 17+ apps, you will be disabling Covenant Eyes.

Using the App

The Covenant Eyes app is a web browser, designed to replace Safari or other browsers on your device. To use the app, click on the Covenant Eyes icon. Once you have signed in, use it to browse the web. Standard features include bookmarks and tabbed browsing. You may also choose Google, Bing, or Yahoo as your default search engine through the “Settings” app.

Importing bookmarks

At this time, the Covenant Eyes browser is unable to import bookmarks from other browsers. You can still create bookmarks for the Covenant Eyes browser by navigating to your favorite webpages, clicking on the bottom center icon of the browser (the square with the arrow pointing up out of it) then choosing “add bookmark.” This will take you to the “Edit Bookmark” screen. After you click “save,” it will be accessible in the Covenant Eyes browser by clicking on the icon on the bottom bar that looks like a book.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Covenant Eyes Filtering work on this browser?

Our browser app includes Filtering in addition to Accountability. This means that websites visited through this app will be blocked based on your Filter Sensitivity Level and block/allow list—no extra configuration necessary. However, we don’t have time controls for our browser app…yet.

I need Safari for work! How do I open e-mail links in the Covenant Eyes browser?

We highly recommend disabling Safari if at all possible, but if you are unable to do so, you can still view these links by copying and pasting them individually into the Covenant Eyes browser window.

First, tap and hold the link you wish to open and select “copy.” Then open the Covenant Eyes browser.

If this is the first time you have opened the browser, or if you open a new tab, you will see a dialog box asking if you would like to open the copied link. Otherwise, paste the copied URL into the address bar.